Correspondence: Lynn Johnson Langer, Advanced Biotechnology Studies, Johns Hopkins University, 9601 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA. E-mail: ljlanger@jhu.edu

¹is Senior Associate Program Chair in Advanced Biotechnology Studies at Johns Hopkins University. She received an undergraduate degree in microbiology from the University of Maryland, MBA from Johns Hopkins University, and PhD in leadership and change from Antioch University. She headed the sales and marketing department of several biotechnology companies. She founded BioPlan Associates, a management and marketing consulting firm and worked extensively with leading biomedical and high-technology companies. She published over 50 papers and two book chapters mainly in business areas of biotechnology and teaches a variety of graduate courses in biotechnology and business.

Received 3 September 2008; Revised 3 September 2008; Published online 21 October 2008.

Abstract

Complications arose in a new dual MS.MBA Biotechnology Programme at Johns Hopkins University when two separate schools and degree programmes joined together to create a joint degree. Students and administrators struggled to create a seamless programme that was hindered by administrative difficulties in registration, but also by students who often did not fully understand the complexities and the interrelationships between the various segments within the biotechnology industry. A new course was created and taught by a co-director of the programme. The course was intended to help alleviate some of the struggles students were experiencing regarding the technical aspects of the programme, and to introduce them to the interconnectedness of various industry components. Students were able to network with industry leaders and learn critical thinking skills necessary to become leaders in the industry.